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Vadivelu

ヴァディヴェール

Vadivelu

Aliases: Vaigai Puyal

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1960-09-12 (Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India)
Nationality
India
Languages
Tamil
Residence History
Madurai → Chennai (Saligramam)

Career

Occupations
Actor, Comedian, Playback singer
Active Years
1988-
Influenced By
Goundamani, Senthil
Influenced
Vijay, Rajinikanth

Awards

Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian
1993
Work: Kizhakku Cheemayile
Category: Best Comedian
Organization: Government of Tamil Nadu
Result: Won
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian
1996
Work: Kaalam Maari Pochu
Category: Best Comedian
Organization: Government of Tamil Nadu
Result: Won
Filmfare Award South
Category: Best Comedian
Organization: Filmfare
Result: Won
Kalaimamani
2005
Organization: Department of Tamil Development Cultural
Result: Won
Chennai International Film Festival Best Actor
2023
Work: Maamannan
Organization: Chennai International Film Festival
Result: Won

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei

2006 Historical Comedy

Vadivelu plays dual roles as twin brothers, a dictator king and a revolutionary, in this blockbuster historical comedy.

Self-deprecationSatire on power

Bibliography

  • Vadivelu filmography

Style & Themes

Literary Style
SlapstickSelf-deprecating humorRustic accent and body language
Recurring Motifs
Mistreated subaltern rogueEnding with on-screen violence

Legacy

Known as the King of Comedy in Tamil cinema, with numerous awards. Iconic in internet memes.

In Popular Culture

  • Vadivelu's expressions and dialogues are widely used in Indian internet memes (e.g., Pray for Nesamani).

Trivia

  • Real name is Kumaravadivel Natarajan.
  • Nickname 'Vaigai Puyal' refers to the river in his hometown Madurai.
  • Worked in his father's glass cutting business.
  • Married to Visalatchi, has 3 children.